Nigerians urge national recognition for Adadevoh

Nigerians from all walks of life yesterday urged the Federal Government to confer on the late Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh, a national recognition.

Dr. Adadevoh died after contracting the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) while treating the late Liberian-American, Mr. Patrick Sawyer.

At a service of songs organised in her honour at Harbour Point, Naval Base, Victoria Island, Lagos, the Endocrinology and Metabolism Society of Nigeria (EMSN) described her as “a true hero” worthy of recognition.

Dr. Abraham Osinubi said the late doctor showed courage, “which is lacking at the moment in many professionals”, by ensuring that Sawyer did not spread the disease.

He said her death was not in vain because she helped to save others at the detriment of her own.

Her death, Osinubi said, left a pain in the hearts of relatives, friends and colleagues, adding: “We have lost an outstanding doctor; a rare gem.”

He said the society saluted her courage, adding that it was second to none.

A friend of the deceased, Miss Irene fowler, who read the tribute of the Harvard University, said true heroes were not politicians but ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

A representative of the Association of General Private Physicians of Nigeria (AGPNPN), Dr. Michael Abah, said the country had lost a great woman, who was a teacher and a mother to many.

He said she would be missed. Her son, Mr. Bankole Cardoso, said the family was humbled by the outpouring of love and gratitude it received from people.

He said his mother paid the supreme price to contain the spread of EVD.

Cardoso thanked everybody, who spoke kindly about his mother.

“The call from the public for an everlasting tribute to mark her professional commitment leaves me inspired and grateful that she had an opportunity to serve the country,” he said.

A relation, identified as Supo, said a Stella Adadevoh Health Trust would be established in her honour.

A childhood friend, Dr. Bode Karounwi, said the late doctor was always truthful, adding that she was a faithful woman.

He said she was courageous in the face of danger, adding that this was her nature right from primary school.

Dr. Yemi Johnson of the First Cardiologists Hospital said the deceased was always on top of issues, stressing that she called him for advice when the Ebola issue started.

Another friend, Dr. Efunbo Dosekun, said the deceased represented different things to many people.

“To some she is a counsellor, to others she is a cheerful friend. But I call her ‘a general’ because she kept everybody entertained. ‘General Ameyo’, as I call her, sorted Nigeria out at a very difficult time. Her sense of loyalty was unmatchable,” she said.

One of the officiating ministers, Rev. Fr. Anthony Igbekele of the Catholic Church of Assumption, Falomo, Lagos, in his sermon, said the late doctor was not an accidental heroine, adding that her recognition did not come by chance because she earned it.

“This is a beacon of hope that the country still has committed people, who can put their lives on the line for the good of all.